WebJunction launches E-Learning Clearinghouse

Funded in part by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the E-Learning Clearinghouse is a database of online courses and academic programs for library staff and information professionals offered by organizations serving the library field.

Programs offered include Master of Library Science and Bachelor of Science in Library and Information Science, as well as continuing education and training relevant to library staff. More than 50 eLearning organizations have contributed content on a wide range of topics—from technology trends and library management to grant writing and marketing. Visit WebJunction.org for more information.

OCLC acquires DiMeMa

DiMeMA (Digital Media Management), the organization that developed and supports CONTENTdm, the leading digital management software for libraries distributed by OCLC, is now a part of the OCLC cooperative. OCLC acquired the company on August 14. Greg Zick, founder of DiMeMa and former Professor at the University of Washington, will be Vice President of OCLC Digital Services, and the DiMeMa staff of 11 will maintain its office in Seattle, Washington. “DiMeMa and OCLC have worked very closely for the past four years and we have enjoyed tremendous success in moving libraries into the digital age,” said Dr. Zick. “Together we will be able to reach more libraries and other organizations interested in managing and exposing their unique content to the worldwide information community.” View the news release.

Catalog at Web speed

A new Connexion cataloging tool lets librarians automatically harvest and create WorldCat records for digital resources. Using either the Connexion client or browser, just type in a URL and the Metadata Extractor will capture and format data into a bibliographic workform for Web sites as well as locally stored .htm, .html, .pdf and .doc files. This will speed cataloging for more types of e-resources, such as electronic dissertations, theses and government documents, by reducing typing and cut-and-paste operations. Go to the Connexion Web site for more information.

It's sooooo cool: WorldCat Selection!

OCLC and Cornell University Library are developing a new service to streamline the selection and ordering process of new library materials. Based on Cornell University software called Integrated Tool for Selection and Ordering (IT SO CUL), the WorldCat Selection service allows selectors to view records from multiple materials vendors in one comprehensive system and import WorldCat records for newly purchased materials into their ILS early in the technical services process. The libraries’ holding symbols also are automatically set in WorldCat. The service will launch in the second half of 2006. Go to the WorldCat Selection Web site for more information.

President’s Report | Moving to the network level